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Summary: There is still an alarming gap in neonatal healthcare and outcome between Western and Eastern European countries and the former USSR countries in particular. Most of the causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity can be prevented or managed by simple cost-effective interventions aimed at improving quality of healthcare, health system organisation and family and community participation. Training of health professionals and health policy-makers in the field of essential neonatal care and breastfeeding promotion is one of the cornerstones of the World Health Organization (WHO) initiatives Making Pregnancy Safer (MPS) and Promoting Effective Perinatal Care (PEPC) — the latter specifically tailored to the European Region — aimed at ensuring safe pregnancy and childbirth through ensuring the availability, access and use of quality skilled care. After 8years of experience of training in essential neonatal care, positive changes in planning for and delivering neonatal care are taking place, even in challenging contexts, and this model of intervention should be further implemented in the region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Of the 4 million neonatal deaths that occur worldwide each year 99% of these occur in developing countries. South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa regions account for two thirds of the global burden. Skilled professionals attend only 35% deliveries in South Asia and 41% in sub-Saharan Africa. Known, affordable interventions delivered through a rational mix of outreach, family/community and clinical services can reduce over 70% of all neonatal deaths. The Millennium Development Goal of reducing the mortality of children under 5years by two thirds by the year 2015 from the 1990 baseline would require a substantial reduction in neonatal mortality in the next decade. For this, the low and middle-income countries must urgently review their existing programs, and design and implement improved, integrated action plans for maternal, newborn and child health. International community, including the academics, institutions and professional bodies in developed countries can play a crucial role to make this mission a success. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]